Part of McClintic WMA Closed to Public

A portion of the 3,655 acre McClintic Wildlife Management Area has been closed until further notice by the West Virginia State Fire Marshall’s office.   The closure order impacts 175 acres of the area on the northern end close to a series of old World War II era munitions bunkers.

The Fire Marshall has determined the area poses a danger to life or property from the hazards of fire or explosion.  The area in question is the part of the WMA south of Potter Creek Road.   Originally the Army built the bunkers for store ammunition.   The property was given to the state in 1949 to be used for fish and wildlife conservation.   The bunkers on the property are now leased by the DNR for storage purposes to individuals and companies.   Recently an explosion and fire ripped through one of the aging structures.      The incident prompted the Fire Marshall’s order.

The explosion and fire are still under investigation by the Fire Marshall and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Nobody was hurt in the incident.